The One Scene That Sealed Titanic’s Fate

It’s been 20 years, but James Cameron still has a lot to say about Titanic. (We imagine that even in 84 years, there will be much to say.) In a letter excerpted in the Sherry Lansing autobiography Leading Lady, the director dives back into the headspace of making the romantic epic, telling set stories he’s fondly told before about the movie that went on to become the biggest blockbuster of its time. Every element of making the film was hellish, it seemed, from its development, to its ballooning cost, to orchestrating the special effects, to picking out a release day. Every time a new problem was fixed, another one appeared, like an iceberg in the distant fog. However, there was one scene in the film that Cameron—and more important, the studio—point to as the moment that locked in audiences once and for all, transforming Cameron’s folly into a bona fide hit.

The road to making one of the most successful films in history was long and treacherous. Cameron and his team were constantly editing Titanic’s special effects and music, racing against the clock in order to also cut down the movie’s incredibly long runtime. “It was like cutting a diamond. We didn’t want to screw it up by hacking at it, but we were desperate to get it shorter,” he says in the excerpt. In another Titanic-specific excerpt from Lansing’s memoir, Fox executive Bill Mechanic remembers that Cameron could be explosive on the set, storming off one night after getting too many proposed cuts. “If he’d had a gun in his trailer, he would have shot me,” Mechanic recalls.

On the studio’s side, it didn’t help that Cameron was an extremely detailed director, unwilling to cut corners. Fred Gallo, the head of physical production, recalls how Cameron was determined to build sets with real wallpaper and shoot “a special submarine,” the only one of its kind in existence. “It was Russian and he had to have it,” Gallo says. “They bring it in, and on the first day they have power problems and can’t shoot.”

Lansing, a firm believer in the film from the outset, was blown away by the details once she saw them in person. “I walked through the ship, and I was taken back in time,” she said of one set visit. “They’d re-created everything, and the specificity of the details, right down to the period dishes, blew my mind.”

The film, however, was still largely treated like a punching bag by the studio. As the time came to choose a release date, ”business heads at Paramount acted like they’d been diagnosed with terminal cancer,” Cameron recalls. “A lot of grim faces and a triage approach to releasing the movie.”

Titanic was hemorrhaging money (it wrapped with at $210 million budget), and seemed certain to be a box-office failure. Cameron thought that after its release, he would never work again. It didn’t help that the press was “relentless” in covering the project: “We were the biggest morons in Hollywood history and the press had the long knives out, and sharpening them as we approached our summer release,” he said.

_Titanic’_s release date was eventually back to December, a move that soothed the media’s vice grip on the story. At that point, Cameron was about as deflated as one could get—but there was one scene in the film that unified everyone and, Cameron feels, cinched some sort of box-office success. Here’s how he tells it:

“I was so pummeled getting the movie done that, by that time, I didn’t fight too hard for anything. I remember that we ALL agreed on one thing—that the long shot of Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) clinging to each other as the vertical stern of the ship plunges down shrieking and groaning, with bodies falling hundreds of feet down toward churning water, was a slam dunk. I think that shot alone got our opening weekend audience.”

Indeed, viewers showed up that first weekend—and every weekend after. The film was No. 1 at the box office for 15 consecutive weeks—a feat, Cameron will kindly remind you, that was “never accomplished before or since.”

Waiting for Guffman: January 31, 1997

While this quirky mockumentary about the making of a stage musical didn't strike it big at the box office (earning less than $3 million worldwide), it soon became a cult classic for its deadpan humor and oddly lovable characters. It starred Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, and Parker Posey, with Levy co-writing the screenplay.

Photo: Sony Pictures Classics

Selena: March 21, 1997

Starring Jennifer Lopez, this musical biopic about the tragic life of the Mexican-American star was released just two years after the young singer was murdered. Lopez earned very positive notice for her breakout role, even scoring a Golden Globe nomination for best actress in a musical or comedy.

Photo: Warner Bros./Getty Images

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion: April 25, 1997

Move over, Mean Girls. First came this film about the enduring trauma of high school, courtesy of Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino, and some enviable 90s fashion. These blondes earned a little more than $29 million domestically, but can you really put a price on lifelong friendship?

Photo: Buena Vista Pictures

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery: May 2, 1997

Two words: groovy, baby. This shaggadelic movie was the first installment of the instantly quotable Powers series, which turned Mike Myers from a comedian/actor into the spy who shagged us all.

Titanic: December 19, 1997

Audiences need an introduction to Titanic as much as the crew of that ship needed an introduction to that iceberg. This epic movie didn't just dominate 1997, and the entire awards-show circuit, to the frustration of the other films on this list—it's one of the most iconic films ever made. It earned 11 Academy Awards (though not even a nomination, alas, for Leonardo DiCaprio) and is one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Twenty years later, audiences still haven't let go of Jack and Rose's tragic romance.

Photo: Paramount Pictures

Life Is Beautiful: December 20, 1997

Also known as La Vita è Bella, this comedy-drama directed by and starring Roberto Benigni didn't make it to the U.S. until 1998, but originally found success in Italy in 1997. The story follows Benigni's Guido Orefice as he protects his son from the realities of a Nazi concentration camp using his vivid imagination. The film earned three Oscars, including best language foreign film and best actor for Benigni—a moment he cemented by jumping on seats on the way to the stage.

Photo:

Miramax Films

As Good as It Gets: December 25, 1997

Brave yourself for some Jack Nicholson. This romantic comedy went on to become Nicholson's second-most-lucrative film (behind Batman) and earned him the Academy Award for best actor alongside his co-star Helen Hunt's Oscar for best actress.

Photo: TriStar Pictures

Waiting for Guffman: January 31, 1997

While this quirky mockumentary about the making of a stage musical didn't strike it big at the box office (earning less than $3 million worldwide), it soon became a cult classic for its deadpan humor and oddly lovable characters. It starred Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, and Parker Posey, with Levy co-writing the screenplay.

Sony Pictures Classics

Selena: March 21, 1997

Starring Jennifer Lopez, this musical biopic about the tragic life of the Mexican-American star was released just two years after the young singer was murdered. Lopez earned very positive notice for her breakout role, even scoring a Golden Globe nomination for best actress in a musical or comedy.

Warner Bros./Getty Images

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion: April 25, 1997

Move over, Mean Girls. First came this film about the enduring trauma of high school, courtesy of Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino, and some enviable 90s fashion. These blondes earned a little more than $29 million domestically, but can you really put a price on lifelong friendship?

Buena Vista Pictures

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery: May 2, 1997

Two words: groovy, baby. This shaggadelic movie was the first installment of the instantly quotable Powers series, which turned Mike Myers from a comedian/actor into the spy who shagged us all.

The Fifth Element: May 9, 1997

The sci-fi film about a dystopian future in which Earth is attacked by aliens, which starred Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, and Milla Jovovich, managed to rake in $263.9 million at the box office despite lukewarm reviews. It also nabbed an Oscar nomination for a best sound editing and a nomination for the elusive "best fight" category at the MTV Movie Awards.

Columbia Pictures

Funny Games: May 14, 1997

Technically, this Austrian psychological thriller didn't make its way stateside until March of 1998, but we'll celebrate its original birthday. Written and directed by Michael Haneke, the subversive film that broke the fourth wall received mixed reviews in Europe for its graphic violence. Haneke remade the film in 2007 with an American cast and crew.

Concorde-Castle Rock/Turner

Hercules: June 13, 1997

Oh my gods, Hercules is all grown up. Like several other Disney films, the music from this tale inspired by Greek mythology went the distance during awards season, receiving nominations for best original song at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. The film grossed $252.7 million worldwide, but still pales in comparison to some of its Disney predecessors. Clearly, it was cursed by Hades.

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

My Best Friend's Wedding: June 20, 1997

Grab the best friend you've always secretly been in love with, because this beloved rom-com is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary (longer than most Hollywood marriages!). The movie was easily one of 1997's top-grossing releases; it also pulled in several nominations through awards season. Here's hoping Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz still have some of that wedding cake stored in their freezers.

TriStar Pictures

Men in Black: July 2, 1997

Here come the . . . Will Smith references. M.I.B. became the third-highest-grossing film of 1997, and even won the Academy Award for best makeup. (It takes a lot to contour an alien.) Smith and Tommy Lee Jones went on to star in two sequels for the franchise, helping to keep Earth safe from intergalactic threats.

Columbia Pictures

The Full Monty: August 13, 1997

While Channing Tatum may be given credit by today's youth for inventing the art of striptease, anyone over the age of 20 knows that he has nothing on this British comedy. The film, starring Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy, was for a brief period the highest-grossing film in the U.K. (until it got pushed out by another titanic film on our list). It was also nominated for four Academy Awards, and won the BAFTA Award for best film.

Fox Searchlight Pictures

L.A. Confidential: September 19, 1997

Set in 1953, this critically acclaimed neo-noir starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger, and Danny DeVito was a Hollywood heavy hitter. It was nominated for nine Oscars, taking home the trophies for best adapted screenplay and best supporting actress (for Basinger).

Warner Bros./Getty Images

Boogie Nights: October 10, 1997

The tale of a young man emerging as a porn star in 1970s L.A. became a sleeper hit. Starring a slew of A-listers, including Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Don Cheadle, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and John C. Reilly, the film earned three Oscar nods. Feast on that.

New Line Cinema

I Know What You Did Last Summer: October 17, 1997

A 90s list wouldn't be complete without an appearance by Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Jennifer Love Hewitt. This slasher film about four friends being made to pay for their mistakes was largely mocked by critics, but it still managed to become a pop-culture cornerstone. The film brought in more than $125 million worldwide.

Columbia Pictures

Gattaca: October 24, 1997

This sci-fi film starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law, tanked at the box office, but has since earned a cult following for its portrayal of the social and moral ramifications of genetic engineering.

Columbia Pictures

Starship Troopers: November 7, 1997

Panned by critics, this action film about Earth in the 23rd century and a soldier named Johnny Rico managed to gross $121 million worldwide—and an Academy Award nomination for best visual effects.

Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group

The Sweet Hereafter: November 21, 1997

Canada gets its moment to shine on our list with this drama about a school-bus accident that killed several children. It barely made a drop in the bucket at box offices, but was critically acclaimed, winning the Grand Prix at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival and receiving two Oscar nominations.

Fine Line Features

Good Will Hunting: December 5, 1997

Contrary to what Gen Z-ers might believe, Ben Affleck didn't earn his clout in Hollywood playing Batman. Instead, he emerged on the scene alongside best bud Matt Damon with this film. It grossed more than $225 million worldwide and earned nine Academy Awards nominations—winning for best supporting actor for Robin Williams and, of course, best original screenplay for Affleck and Damon.

Miramax Films

Titanic: December 19, 1997

Audiences need an introduction to Titanic as much as the crew of that ship needed an introduction to that iceberg. This epic movie didn't just dominate 1997, and the entire awards-show circuit, to the frustration of the other films on this list—it's one of the most iconic films ever made. It earned 11 Academy Awards (though not even a nomination, alas, for Leonardo DiCaprio) and is one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Twenty years later, audiences still haven't let go of Jack and Rose's tragic romance.

Paramount Pictures

Life Is Beautiful: December 20, 1997

Also known as La Vita è Bella, this comedy-drama directed by and starring Roberto Benigni didn't make it to the U.S. until 1998, but originally found success in Italy in 1997. The story follows Benigni's Guido Orefice as he protects his son from the realities of a Nazi concentration camp using his vivid imagination. The film earned three Oscars, including best language foreign film and best actor for Benigni—a moment he cemented by jumping on seats on the way to the stage.

Miramax Films

As Good as It Gets: December 25, 1997

Brave yourself for some Jack Nicholson. This romantic comedy went on to become Nicholson's second-most-lucrative film (behind Batman) and earned him the Academy Award for best actor alongside his co-star Helen Hunt's Oscar for best actress.